What predators leave only chicken legs?

[briannamonique16]

I’m trying to figure out what killed my chicken. They’re free range and we have 7 total and one just got killed. None of the others are injured. All it left was two piles of feathers and it left only the chicken leg with foot. The bone is wiped clean and no blood visible anywhere. What predator could this be? The whole free range area is fenced in with 6 ft tall cage link fencing. We live in California btw.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

Oh my, this is rather unusual. It probably left the leg because it couldn't get through the skin. I'd say stray cat or racoons. However it could possums or more unlikely a cougar. California has lots of them I I know for a fact they will take any food they can. However it would likely take out the whole flock.

 

[Geena]

Something big enough to crunch up and swallow all but the leg bones. That would leave out most predators. I'm thinking coyote or mountain lion.

 

[Birdsonghill]

A Hawk likely, Sounds to me, just happened to be full or get scared off before he finished the legs. The hawk attacks I have witnessed or verified over the years shows usually three or four [piles of feathers in a trail and the remains at the last spot. Usually given ample time the hawk leaves only the wings and the feet sometimes the wings still connected by a flap of skin and a pile of feathers. If they get scared off the bones left will be clean as a whistle on the legs or the thighs if they left it behind. The breast ifn still present will have large bits neatly sheared or pulled off They sometimes will partially eat the bird and fly away with the carcass minus parts including wings detached and left behind. Their dining area is remarkably clean of blood and soft tissues, etc. they are fast and effective butchers and remove large strips of meat or severe parts like pruners. Dry feathers and the stub of the wings with little left but the bone and feathers is typical. A mink usually eats their favorite internal organs first after killing the animal with a bite to the neck, they love the heart, liver. Often, minks will kill many more than the one they feed on and only partially consume much of the carcass. Fox usually drag their victims off to nearby perceived cover, before feeding, behind a fence row, tall grass or tree or whatever. Partially feeds and takes to den a choice portion or the entire carcass or invites nearby kits to eat at site. The dining site is usually "messy' as compared to hawks. Parts of the carcass may be strewn across the area and fox signs may be present, scat or tracks nearby. A good dog will take a scent on the trail of a raccoon or opossum and they have their own clues they leave. Good luck. I only let my bachelor flocks free range due to hawks and other threats here. I don't mind so much a donation to needy Raptors or a young fox family of my excess roosters. Though that may become excessive, even for me to tolerate at times and I lock them down in a secure run.

 

[Jenbirdee]

wild boar? do you have pigs running around?
We once fed a rooster (after killing it humanely) to our pig and he ate everything except the feet. He even ate the feathers,

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

It probably isn't a coyote, bobcat, or wolf because they kill their prey and take it off somewhere else to eat it. It could either be something really big like a bear or a mountain lion or something smaller like a raccoon or opossum. Maybe even a rat. Also, most of the time coyotes or wolves, or opossums will only eat the guts out things. Parts that are nutrient rich, like liver or kidneys, not the meat part too.
My best guess would be a mountain lion - all of what you explained seems to me like it points to a mountain lion. It would eat it right there - not carry it away or share with a pack/group of somesort.
I would do some more reading on each of these predators. Figure out what exactly did this to your chicken and make a plan.
If it is a bear or mountain lion you are probably going to need to call Wildlife control for them to relocate the problem because it might not be only a danger to your chickens, it could be a danger to you as well.
Here are some great reading websites on some of the predators you could be dealing with:
Coyote:
https://poultrydvm.com/predator/coy...n jump, climb, or,wounds in the throat region.

Bobcat:

https://www.chickenheavenonearth.com/bobcats-how-to-protect-your-chickens.html

Wolf
https://poultrydvm.com/predator/wolf

Raccoon

ewsfromthecoop.hoovershatchery.com/identifyingpredatorsracoons/#:~:text=Raccoons%20are%20nocturnal%20and%20will,night%20are%20due%20to%20raccoons.

Opossum

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/do-possums-eat-chickens/
https://www.chickensandmore.com/do-possums-eat-chickens/

Rat

https://poultrydvm.com/predator/rat

Bear

https://www.mypetchicken.com/blogs/faqs/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-bears-if-i-keep-chick...

Mountain Lion

https://poultrydvm.com/predator/cougar

Hawk
https://niteguard.com/chicken-protection-from-hawks/

I hope this helps you!!

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Also, I don't think this is normal but I am going to share. I live in Central Pennsylvania and someone about 20 miles north of us keeps getting trail camera pictures of a mountain lion. Yes in Pennsylvania. Wow. I hunt on this farm and have not seen the animal yet. I am really surprised. All as I am saying is maybe we all should be considering this predator anywhere where they used to be native. They might not always be extinct and gone.

 

[McChooky]

I'm unfamiliar with mountain lions as we don't have them (supposedly) All predators will return once they've enjoyed a free meal so I would lock my chickens up and increase protection. Electric fences are an effective deterrent against domestic cats and bob cats.

 

[Birdsonghill]

Having grown up hunting mountain lions with my father in the 1950's and 60's and skinning out more than a few, I venture to say it was not a mountain lion, but it is possible. They indeed , do, often haul off the uneaten portion of a carcass and often attempt to cover it with dirt and /or leaves or hang it in their favorite tree. Hawks on the other hand are very neat and efficient and neatly pluck off the feathers cleanly and tear and cut away the flesh neatly and eat most of the bones and all till scared away or satisfied. Very little gore or excessive blood, etc. usually only the wings and feet left behind and lots of feathers. IF Any bones left of the legs, they will be clean as a whistle with no meat remnants and the bone ends may be neatly sheared off. I have scared them off a kill and found the feathers neatly cleaned from most of the breast and legs of the carcass, the neck and possibly head gone first completely and any flesh missing looking like it was sheared or pulled off not knawed upon. Good luck with your flock and best wishes!